Children in Uganda are helped by local church

A Global Missions project for Tehachapi Community Congregational Church is supporting Pearls of Africa in Uganda. This is a home that provides loving care, education, and life skills for 29 children of all ages who have been separated from their families because of civil war, extreme poverty, or the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Jan Roberts chairs the Global Missions Team which endeavors to raise money to support the home. She became interested in this project three years ago when she and Pastor Nancy Bacon traveled to Uganda on a trip arranged by Peter Keller who heads a program called Aid Africa. She was so impressed with the Pearls of Africa Children's Home that she enlisted the support of the Community Church to provide financial help to the Home.

It costs $50,000 dollars a year for the Home to sustain itself. The cost per child for uniforms and books is $129. The local church tries to cover this amount each year.

This year tickets for a quilt raffle were sold to church members as well as friends of the project. The quilt was made by Lynne Bauer and donated to raise money for the Children's Home. The drawing was held at an ice cream sundae event with Lynne pulling the winning ticket which had been purchased by Phyllis Belcher.

Roberts is on the Board of Directors for Pearls of Africa which is a 501c3 organization. They rely on donations from various sources around the world to sustain their program. She has inspired the local congregation to support causes that benefit the children in Uganda. They have sent money for the past three years and plan to continue.